In the upcoming Lok Sabha Elections 2024, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is set to contest elections in Odisha independently. The state leadership of the BJP announced on Friday evening that the party would go solo for the upcoming assembly and parliamentary elections.
Despite efforts, no consensus could be reached on seat-sharing between the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both parties seem unwilling to concede to each other’s demands.
Manmohan Samal’s Statement
Manmohan Samal, the Pradesh Adhyaksha (State President) of BJP, returned to the state after his visit to Delhi. He claimed that there were no discussions or agreements regarding an alliance, and the BJP would contest the elections independently.
He stated, “We went to Delhi to discuss our preparations for the upcoming Lok Sabha and Assembly elections with central leaders. However, no discussions took place regarding forming an alliance or seat-sharing.”Samal asserted that the BJP in Odisha would rely on its strength and contest and win the elections.
Stalemate on Alliance Talks
BJP and BJD, erstwhile allies in the past, could not find common ground on seat-sharing. Initially, claims were made about mutual consent for an alliance, but both parties are now demanding a more significant share of seats. According to a PTI report, BJD is seeking more than 100 out of the 147 seats in the Odisha Legislative Assembly.
A senior BJP leader stated, “The BJD is demanding about 75% of the Assembly seats, which is not acceptable to us. Such a situation will adversely affect the prospects of the saffron party in the state.”
BJP desires to secure 14 out of the 21 Lok Sabha seats in the state, a proposition that BJD is reportedly unwilling to agree to. A senior BJD leader remarked, “If we contest fewer than 10 Lok Sabha seats, it will be suicidal for us.”
The Dynamics of Navin Patnaik and BJP
Under the leadership of Navin Patnaik, BJD secured 112 seats in the 2019 Odisha Legislative Assembly elections and 12 Lok Sabha seats. In contrast, the BJP won eight Lok Sabha seats. The two parties had been allies from 1998 to 2009.
The alliance, during the 1998 general elections, won 17 out of 21 Lok Sabha seats with a 48.7% vote share. In 1999, they secured 19 seats but the number reduced to 18 in 2004. It appears that the possibilities of a new alliance are diminishing, given the current circumstances.